Landlord Accused Of Setting Fire As Tenants Slept
DELMAR, Md. (AP) -- Maryland fire officials say a landlord has been charged with arson and attempted murder after a house he owned burned.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal and Delmar police arrested 42-year-old Andy Modeste of Seaford, Del., after Monday morning's fire.
Authorities say Modeste set a fire in a crawl space of the home while Eduardo Machado and his family slept. The family was able to escape unharmed.
About 70 firefighters battled the blaze in the two-story, single-family home before bringing it under control in about an hour. Damage was estimated at $40,000.
The fire marshal's office says a dispute over the lease may be a motive in the incident.
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